One of the questions I'm asked the most is "Why did you choose a log home?"
I usually give my standard answer -- something along the lines of:
I like being different. I've lived in homes that resembled the majority of other houses out there. Through the years, I've studied the things I like and don't like, as well as the features I need and don't need in a home. These days, I would prefer to live in a one-of-a-kind home in a unique setting. That's my dream home.
And whenever you're … [Read more...]

Dream of living in a log home? (Me too.)
If your dream is to live in an old log house, you might want to think twice about it.
Certainly, there are lots of good reasons to live in an old log home, but there are also a few reasons not to.
It may have stood for 100 years or more and survived the elements season after season, but old log cabins do have their problems.
Unfortunately, in many cases, when it comes to purchasing an older log home, the house inevitably has to be taken … [Read more...]

With the ever-increasing price of oil, natural gas and electricity, many homeowners are now considering using wood to heat their homes and workshops.
Along with the potential cost savings that an outdoor wood furnace or other type of wood burning stove can provide on home heating bills, using wood as your home heating fuel of choice is great for the environment.
Here's why:
… [Read more...]

There are a number of factors which can ultimately increase (or decrease) the costs associated with building a new home.
Many of those are things that you, personally, can choose to include (or not include) when designing and constructing your new log home.
Here are some things to keep in mind that will ultimately affect the cost to build a log home...
Square or rectangular homes are less expensive to build than irregularly shaped homes, or rooms with lots of angles and areas … [Read more...]

And the award goes to... green buildings, green home products, and green builders! The Green Log Awards go to companies which produce building products that do not harm or negatively impact Mother Nature. The Green Log Awards are certainly a wonderful incentive for -- and great way to recognize -- companies which help people live safely and comfortably without destroying the Earth. … [Read more...]

There's a lot more to choosing a toilet than price and style.
You also need to consider things like water conservation, function, size, shape, cleanliness, and maybe even color.
And it's always helpful to see what others think of a particular brand of toilet (or toilet seat) too.
Following is a guide that will help you determine which toilet is the best toilet for your home. Plus, discussion of some of the most modern features in today's toilets.
Low-Flow Toilets
Most … [Read more...]

Finalists for the "Green Log Awards" were recently announced. The GREEN LOG Home & Lifestyle Awards were created in response to the growing demand for green building solutions. The goal of the awards is to locate and shine a spotlight on those companies and individuals who are enabling healthier homes and lifestyles. -- GREEN LOG Home & Lifestyle AwardsWhat this means for people like you and me is... a great list of environmentally-friendly log home products and suppliers!So, … [Read more...]

We are considering using structural insulated panels (SIPs) from Superior Walls in the basement of our log home.
Superior Walls are a pre-cast (not pre-fab, they say) concrete foundation and insulated wall system.
We like this product mostly for the following reasons:
#1 Energy-efficiency
#2 Less time required to do the job
#3 They can handle all details of your excavation from start to finish, or simply install the foundation & walls -- whichever you prefer
The reasons stated in their … [Read more...]

Our current dilemma: Whether to use composite decking for the porches and decks of our new log home or not. First thought... It's a log home/ Why in the world would we want to use non-log products in our all-log dream home? I know. I certainly feel guilty even thinking about using "fake wood" in our log home. But if I can get a similar look and quality product with less maintenance, then I'm all for it. Second thought... Composite decking uses recycled materials, is longer lasting, … [Read more...]

Got an interesting email from Joe this weekend...
Just beginning to layout plans for possible log home in TN. Have you considered Geothermal. Everything I read sounds good and I'm thinking that I have to dig out the basement so why not look at this option placed in surrounding opening. Electricity may be cheap in TN but not here in FL. Also looking at prefabbed basement as in this OLD House. Meeting with TN log home and Honest Abe next week." -- Joe
This topic might be of interest to others, … [Read more...]